"Senior Zhang," the assistant director said anxiously, with cold sweat streaming down his forehead. "If you leave now, the whole crew won't be able to work. I'm begging you. Please direct this scene first. Otherwise, I won't be able to account for it!"
He eagerly pleaded with Meng Nianchu. "Nianchu, please help me persuade him. I really have no other way!"
Knowing what was more important, Meng Nianchu advised earnestly, "The director isn't here at the moment. If you leave like this, it'll be very difficult for the assistant director."
Seeing that Zhang Zhengfeng was somewhat moved, Meng Nianchu continued, "This scene is the most important one in the whole play. The entire crew has been preparing for this scene for a whole morning, and everyone has worked very hard. For the sake of everyone, Senior Zhang, please don't leave for now. Take a look again."
"How can we still act like this!" Zhang Zhengfeng was torn inside. The wrinkles on his face were all scrunched up, and his white beard trembled with his rapid breathing. "I don't want to make things difficult for everyone either, but how can I act like this? It's better for me to act against thin air!"
The assistant director looked at Meng Nianchu helplessly. Suddenly, an idea flashed through his mind.
"Can you act in this scene, Nianchu!"
"Me?" Meng Nianchu noticed Zhang Zhengfeng's expectant gaze after the assistant director's words. She thought for a moment and said, "I've memorized the lines, but if I act, how can you explain it to Meng Rong, assistant director?"
Pretending to be hesitant and sensible on the surface, Meng Nianchu sneered in her heart.
Of course, she had acted in this scene before. It was because she had impulsively agreed to play this role that she had suffered so much later. If it weren't for the urgent need to stabilize Senior Zhang at the moment, she would never act in this play again!
Hearing that she had memorized the lines for this scene, the assistant director was both surprised and overjoyed. The current situation didn't allow him to think too much. He grabbed Meng Nianchu's wrist, as if grabbing the last straw.
He immediately turned around and told the crew to cheer up, shouting, "Let's continue shooting this scene!"
Meng Rong, who was sipping tea leisurely, stood up self - importantly, patted the dust off her body, and said nonchalantly, "We could have finished shooting earlier if we had done this. What a waste of time."
While she was complaining, the assistant director had already pulled Meng Nianchu in front of the camera. "Everyone listen up. Try not to use long - shot lenses for this scene. Try to shoot full - body shots as much as possible!"
After saying that, his eyes fell on Meng Nianchu's face, and his words were full of apology. "Sorry to trouble you with this scene. I don't have the right to replace the leading actress. After this scene is shot, the credit will still go to Miss Meng. But don't worry, I'll pay you the filming fee for today myself. I'll definitely make up for your loss!"
Meng Nianchu smiled. "These aren't important. I'll be satisfied if today's shooting can end smoothly."
Meng Rong outside the set was stunned for a while before she realized what was going on. She was furious and quickly walked up to the assistant director, angrily questioning, "What do you mean! I'm the leading actress. Why are you letting her act!"
The assistant director tried to make his impatient tone sound more gentle. "Miss Meng, you can't even memorize your lines. The filming of the crew has to continue. I can't let the hard work of all the crew members go to waste because of your personal problems."
"You're!"
"Nianchu will act as Miss Meng's stand - in for this scene. The final result will still be credited to Miss Meng. If Nianchu acts well, it will also be beneficial to Miss Meng after the show is broadcast."
A simple sentence blatantly revealed the tempting benefits.
Meng Rong was speechless.
The assistant director didn't give her a chance to refuse and called someone to pull Meng Rong outside the set.
As Zhang Zhengfeng slowly entered the set, the camera started moving, and this scene officially began shooting.
All the actors were fully focused on Meng Nianchu's performance. Their reactions changed from being initially unimpressed to gradually shocked. In front of the camera, Meng Nianchu with disheveled hair hugged Zhang Zhengfeng's leg tightly, looking a complete mess.
But it was this unseemly image that made all the actors in the crew can't help but give Meng Nianchu a thumbs - up.
"Cut!"
The assistant director felt completely relaxed. He helped Meng Nianchu, who was lying on the ground, stand up and excitedly praised, "Your acting skills are really good! Thank you for your hard work!"
There were still tears on Meng Nianchu's face. She wiped them while smiling and said, "Assistant director, just treat me to a boxed lunch at noon as my filming fee."
The assistant director laughed heartily.
Zhang Zhengfeng, who had a rival scene with Meng Nianchu, changed his impression of her again. His deep eyes showed his admiration for her. "You're really an extraordinary girl! You understand the characters so well. I, an old man, almost can't keep up with your acting!"
"Senior Zhang, you're being too modest. How can I compare with you."
"Truly, the younger generation is full of talent!"
Zhang Zhengfeng's evaluation of Meng Nianchu was extremely high, and no one doubted it. After all, they had actually seen Meng Nianchu's acting skills and couldn't find any faults.
The successful completion of this scene meant that Meng Rong got the credit for Meng Nianchu's hard work. She fantasized about the audience's praise for her after the show was broadcast, but first, she was defeated by the crew's discussions about her poor acting skills.
Cui Lei, the clothing assistant, whispered and mocked with the girl beside her, "If it weren't for work, I wouldn't want to serve that vase Meng Rong. She can't do anything right all day long and always thinks she's so great. She doesn't know her own limitations. Look at her superior attitude. She's so annoying!"
"Exactly! You said that she and Nianchu are sisters, but why is there such a big difference in their personalities? Nianchu is beautiful and smart. Everyone in the crew likes her. Unlike that Miss Meng Rong, who is so hard to serve. The water can't be too cold or too hot. She has no talent but still acts like a diva. I guess the director doesn't dare to do anything to her because he's probably afraid of the Meng family behind her."
"What are you two talking about!"
Meng Rong's shrill voice suddenly sounded from behind, scaring the two girls so much that their hearts skipped a beat. When they turned around and met Meng Rong's eyes, they wanted to leave guiltily.
Meng Rong angrily blocked their way.
"Don't think I didn't hear what you two said! Who are you talking about having no acting skills and a bad temper! If I were really useless, how could I be the leading actress in this play! You two look down on people. Do you believe that I'll call my dad and have you kicked out of the crew right away!"
The two little girls buried their heads very low and bit their lower lips, not daring to say a word.
Someone heard the commotion and looked over. Meng Rong's poor vanity was greatly satisfied when she saw that they didn't dare to resist. She straightened her back, snatched the clothes from Cui Lei's hand, and threw them hard on the ground.
Those were the clothes that Meng Nianchu was going to change into later.
Cui Lei quickly reached out to pick them up.
Meng Rong stepped on the clothes.
"I'm the young lady of the Meng family. How dare you, country girls who work for others, talk about me! This is just a warning for you. If I hear you gossiping again next time, I'll never forgive you!"
Cui Lei's eyes were full of tears from anxiety. She glared at Meng Rong defiantly. Sensing her resistance, Meng Rong was so angry that she slapped her across the face.
"What are you doing!"